Support needed to keep Marie Curie Nurses on the frontline in the South West, through the Coronavirus crisis

ACROSS the UK, Marie Curie is gearing up to care for hundreds of additional dying patients requiring end of life care, in order to relieve the unprecedented pressure on the NHS during the Coronavirus crisis. With the number of cases rapidly increasing in the South West, local Marie Curie Nursing teams are working harder than ever.

Given the choice, people overwhelmingly say they would prefer to die in their own home, or in a hospice, rather than a hospital. End of life patients who do not want to be in hospital need to be moved to a more appropriate setting, as beds in critical care units are urgently required for patients who need lifesaving treatment for Coronavirus.

As experts in providing end of life care in the community, Marie Curie can help, but only if it continues to raise the donations it needs to fund its vital work.

Last year the charity provided 175,000 hours of direct care for over 3000 people in the South West, allowing them to die at home where they wanted to be. Marie Curie needs to raise £50,000 a week to continue to run its essential frontline services across the South West, at a time when its ability to generate this money has been seriously compromised.

Natalie Garland, Marie Curie South West Fundraising Manager, said: “When the NHS and public need us most, we are facing huge struggles raising vital funds. Along with the cancellation of hundreds of high street and supermarket collections, we’re now losing income from the closure of our charity shops and from cancelled fundraising events such as the Padstow to Rock Swim – which raised over £80,000 for us last year. My message to those in the South West, please donate if you can.”

Marie Curie’s Chief Executive Matthew Reed said: “At this time of national emergency, Marie Curie Nurses and frontline staff are needed more than ever as the NHS is put under ever greater strain.

“Sadly, some people’s lives will be shortened by Coronavirus, so the need for end of life care will be greater. Marie Curie can meet this need, and in doing so will help free up intensive care beds needed for Coronavirus patients.

“But just as we want to help, our income has been decimated.  We need donations urgently to keep our Nurses and Hospice staff on the frontline.

“Unlike other healthcare providers, Marie Curie is reliant on donations from the public to survive. Every week the charity needs to raise £2.5million to care for the tens of thousands of people who require nursing and hospice care.  At the moment, our ability to fundraise is seriously compromised. Events are being cancelled, and we’ve had to close our Shops.  That is why we have launched an emergency appeal to make up the shortfall, and ensure the charity can care for more dying patients, support the NHS and ultimately save lives in the weeks and months ahead.

“We are all in this crisis together and already we are seeing how the public in this country is rising to support each other and the most vulnerable.  Please donate now.”

• Donate online at: mariecurie.org.uk/emergency

• Text NURSE to 70633 to help us reach the families who need us. Texts cost £5 plus 1 standard rate message. 98% is received by Marie Curie. To unsub text OUT to 78866. Thank you.

Due to increased demand, Marie Curie has extended the opening hours of its Support Line service to 7 days a week: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 5pm. If you, or someone you know, is affected by a terminal illness and concerned about Coronavirus, our Support Line team are ready to help with the information you need when you need it. Call free 0800 090 2309*. You can also find more information on our website: mariecurie.org.uk/coronavirus